Caena Coldmoon's page

I (the player) had never heard that nickname but it makes sense!

Caena bristles at Ekira's words. "Punished for what? For something that happened to you in the past? To me it sounds like you want these three to pay, whether they did anything wrong or not, for what others have done. If that's what you mean by justice, you have a very different understanding of the word than me."

She takes a deep breath and tries not to lose her temper, but this conversation is pushing her buttons. "If we are following legal processes and uncover evidence that proves they are innocent, would you get in the way of that? And if another 'anonymous source' sends a letter accusing somebody else you don't like, will you take that as fact? You might want to re-consider what your goddess is asking you to do here."

Knowledge religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Caena looks at Ekira blankly, equally clueless about who she's referring to.

Caena glances at the others, not sure whether she can speak for all of them. "I want to make sure justice is done for the community here. Whether it was those three or someone else who committed a murder, the right people should pay the penalty. We went and talked with the prisoners, and they say they are innocent. I know that individuals who are sentenced to death might lie to protect themselves, but I think there is room for doubt. I want to know the truth. Erastil himself would not desire any less."

I will use inspiration from Caena's faith in these beliefs to roll twice and take the higher result.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Caena looks around for the halfling and settles her gaze on Corwin. "We heard people saying in the town that you had blood on your hands and clothes when you were arrested. Is that true?"

She looks at their clothing to see if any of them have buttons that match the obsidian one they found earlier at the farm.

1d20 ⇒ 5 (If needed for perception, diplomacy, or sense motive)

Akito's questions are the other things I would like to know about: the dagger and why they were at the farm.

Caena backs up her teammate by being completely honest. "We are interested in the truth, and in justice. The crime that has been committed here is a serious one. Please let us cooperate with you."

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Lem sounds good to me, or at least somebody with skills. We're a bit lacking in that department.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"Who was the victim? Someone who lived around here?" She watches the man closely for any sign that he's lying or hiding something he knows.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Or maybe not so closely

Caena agrees with Akito's plan. "We should collect the stories from people who have seen things with their own eyes. Later I would like to visit this halfling, however. Why did he have blood on his hands? And keep an eye out for the man missing hair from the back of his head, while we're looking around town."

Having laid out her advice, she accompanies Akito to track down the farmer.

I can aid the Diplomacy, since that's what was stated earlier.

I'm really sorry I disappeared. I wasn't getting notification that the game updated, and I completely failed to notice that it had been so long since I posted. Getting caught up now.

I'm thinking of going to the general store the next morning, if that's the shop run by Orug Foram.

When they get back together that evening to share what they found, Caena relates the rumors they picked up at the tent city. "Someone named Orug Foram runs the general store. He is apparently the one who found the second victim. He says he fought the murderer before he escaped, but the one I heard this from knows that Orug likes to grow his own tales, so that might be exaggeration. We should keep that in mind if we question him for more details."

She nods thoughtfully and reflects on the other person they met. "The woman Ekira says she started hearing directly from Iomedae when she came to this town. She wants to start a church here, and maybe even run for mayor. I admire her zeal, if that's true."

Caena would prefer to head back to the tent city and spend the night there. There is safety in numbers, and if anything unexpected should happen among the people there, she will be on the spot ready to assist.

As they discuss how to investigate, Caena clutches her wooden holy symbol of Erastil. "I would prefer to speak with some of the simple folk of the region. They are closest to the land, and might know best what is happening in this town. Also easier to relate to than mayors in fancy houses."

She makes her way to the tent city to start, having stripped down to her simple traveler's outfit. She mingles with the people there, and tries to strike up conversation by asking questions such as, "How is the harvest going? Will you be participating in the festival? Have you heard about the execution due to take place this week? How did that come about?"

While talking with people, she tries to examine their living conditions, to see if they have enough food, clean water, and are in general good health.

1d20 ⇒ 10
1d20 ⇒ 6

Diplomacy +8; Sense Motive +3; Perception +3; Heal -1 (I hope that one won't be called upon...) Is this what you need?

A young half-elf with braided black hair and striking blue eyes listens intently to the Venture-Captain. "I'm not sure I like the idea of hiding who we are. But then, last time I went to an unfriendly rural village, they threw rocks at me." Caena grimaces at the memory, and tucks her wayfinder way down at the bottom of her bag. "I'd be glad not to repeat that experience. We'll find out the truth of the situation, rest assured." She speaks confidently, and then inquires, "I have never been to Mendev. What are the people there like?"

Elinnea * Caena Coldmoon * 270121-1 * Silver Crusade

No day job.

I'd be happy to play with you fine folks again, and it'd be nice to have Redelia as a player too. But I too could do with a break for a little while. I'm going to have an awful lot going on in August and September.

My chronicle looks good. And once we're officially done I get to level up! The first character I created for PFS, and finally she reaches level 2. :D

Caena takes a sip from her drink while the others speak. Even though she is not injured herself, it has been a rough day. "Would it bother you if we describe what happened in our records? If your people have your way of remembering this evil, and the Pathfinder Society has our way as well, maybe together we can keep it from happening again."

The mantra of Explore, report, cooperate echoes in her mind and she wonders what they would do if the answer was no.

She brightens at the mention of a celebration. "It would be nice to have a friendly gathering, after all the darkness we've seen today."

Caena gives the bat-elf a hard stare, and then turns away to swiftly unbind the elf on the altar. (I assume that's not a difficult task.) She gently helps the elf to take a seat on the ground. "You'll be all right now," she says in her most reassuring tone. Caena then looks over at Fola. "Maybe you should talk to her?"

At Lovissa's dire explanation, her gaze turns stormy and she goes back over to the altar to see if the holy water or the smashing are having an effect. She will gladly join in if so.

Caena holds up her terbutje against the bat-elf's throat. "This... was someone you knew?" She looks at Fola in shock. "It really is a place of evil. What could have happened?"

She answers Catorze, "We should destroy it if that will cleanse the place, but what if that sets the evil loose instead? Let's not be hasty." Without relaxing her guard around the unconscious former-elf-scout present-bat-thing, she looks down at the Ekujae tied to the altar. "You, are you awake? Are you all right?"

Heal?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Caena takes a sliding step to the side to be in flanking position with Catorze. She’s glad enough to be a little further from that hole, though the altar isn’t much better. She swings her terbutje with a heavy blow.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Caena looks helplessly at Aglynn, then down at Lovissa, and then reluctantly nods and turns away. Catorze is fighting valiantly against the bat creature; she can't let her team down now.

Double move to get across the cave and just barely reach the werebat

Caena's breath catches in her throat as Lovissa drops right in front of her eyes. "No!!" In fury she turns to the headless whatever-it-is that is standing between Caena and her dying companion. "You, get out of my way!" She lunges with her terbutje with the full intention of destroying this creature of evil. Caena invokes her smite evil on Green.

Attack, assuming that it's evil: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12
+1 more damage if it's evil outsider or undead. I assume it's not an evil dragon in disguise.

She steps around it and focuses on Lovissa. "Stay with me!"

I can do a cure light wounds next round, if she's not already stabilized by then. Or even if she is, I suppose.

No need to apologize! I love it!

You guys and your dying posts... tugging on my heartstrings...

:’(

Caena shoots Fola a worried glance. Did she hear the same message? What did that mean to her? But she has no time to check in with her fellow half-elf. Bad things are happening right and left in this cave. She nods to Sara and Catorze and rushes off to help Lovissa, who is struggling to bring down the headless creature that keeps slamming into her.

Attack green, flanking: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"Lovissa! Stay strong! Your story doesn't end here!"

"Soddy, no!" Seeing her green friend go down, Caena rushes forward. This provokes an AoO from Mr. Green, if it can take another. To get there I have to charge, so -2 AC until next turn.

She swings the weapon down on the nearest of the headless creatures, while trying to gauge Soddy's condition out of the corner of her eye. "Are you dying? Do you need my help?!" (I know she was just stabilized, but Caena is trying to decide if she should drop her weapon to heal Soddy.)

Attack Red, charging: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 - 1 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Caena squints into the darkness. The hairs rise on the back of her neck. Being in a place of such evil makes her feel slightly ill. She whispers, "This place... we definitely found it." At Soddy's exclamation she snaps to attention. "Prisoners! Where?"

Caena has low-light vision but no light source out, since both of her hands are full.

Caena pauses to offer a brief silent prayer for the souls of the elves whose heads they struck down. It bothers her a little that she didn't know what caused the heads to act that way, but maybe inside there will be some clue. Or else it will be a mystery forever, as sometimes happens.

"Let's find out what's hiding out in this place," she says grimly as they move into the cave, and keeps her weapon drawn. She pauses to look at the wall when Soddy notices something, and then scratches her chin in thought. "Is it some kind of bat monster, then?"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Knowledge religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Caena comes to her senses when the heads start screeching. It doesn't matter what they are or why they're here, when they're clearly hurting my friends! She hastens forward, drawing the terbutje along the way, and swings at one of the floating heads.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Knowledge religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Caena stares in bewilderment.

As she watches the last of her teammates climb up, Caena is chuckling, amused by the back-and-forth, but at Fola’s gasp she looks up and then recoils in horror. “Who would do something like that?”

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Caena watches in amazement as Catorze scampers up the cliff. Her mind flashes back to the moment the catfolk first appeared, and wryly realizes, Of course, I should have known. She shrugs, and uses the climbing kit herself.

Climb: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 + 2 = 17

When Lovissa mentions a grappling hook, Caena cries out, “Ah!” and takes off her backpack to start rustling around in it. She pulls out a set of climbing equipment. “I carry these because I’m not skilled at climbing, but if someone else would like to use my tools to get to the top and fasten a rope, I will gladly lend them.”

It’s a climber’s kit, for +2 circumstance bonus to climb checks.

Caena observes Nolani's healing with bright eyes. "Ah! I should have known that the people who live here have their own remedies for the local illnesses. I think if you want to deal with agents of the Pathfinder Society in the future, offering aid like this would be a great way to make allies among them." While getting ready to sleep she hums contentedly to herself, imagining a happy future where the locals and the Pathfinders can work together in this region.

"Well said, Soddy Daisy!" Caena picks out the terbutje that seems easiest to handle, and pulls the shield off her back to grip it firmly in her left hand. She keeps her usual scimitar ready at her waist, just in case.

She glances at Fola, curious about the taboo they're talking about. But judging by their words, the elves don't know much about it either, and she doesn't want to push their luck by further offending anyone. So she simply smiles at Danbit and Erta and asks, "How far is it to this place?"

Caena releases her breath, relieved that Lovissa's words haven't instantly undone their diplomatic efforts so far. She faces the elders and and adds firmly, "I have come to appreciate my friend Lovissa's straightforward attitude. She speaks her mind, and I hope you also will take her words as they are, and not read any hidden message in them. Trust us with this task, and hopefully your people will not be burdened by this feeling of betrayal any more."

She turns back to the weapons and looks at the terbutje in Lovissa's hand. She murmurs, "An interesting weapon. The wood gives it stability while the blades provide powerful slice." At Sara's question she comments, "For people not used to wielding a weapon, a simple club would probably be best. Or you can leave the task of whacking evil in the face to us." She smiles grimly and gives one of the weapons a trial swing.

Caena would also like to a use a terbutje. And maybe if I type it enough times I'll remember how to spell it.

Caena brightens at the description of the task they're being asked to do. "Investigate and protect your people from an unknown evil presence? That hardly counts as a burden at all! You only had to ask."

She moves eagerly to the pile of weapons, feeling honored that the elves would share this piece of their tradition with them. But she freezes when she hears Lovissa's words. Oh. Are we still going to bring that up? She holds her breath and looks anxiously to the two elders.

Caena feels quite inspired by Catorze's elegant speech, but is herself a little tongue-tied at the weight of the situation. She takes a deep breath and introduces herself, "My name is Caena Coldmoon, and I too represent the Pathfinder Society. I didn't know Nieford Sharrowsmith myself, but from everything I hear he was a good, honorable man. I hope you also will believe that our entire Society is trustworthy one, and that is why we are here. You can ask these two." She nods to Danbit and Erta. "We want to do right by your people."

She looks to Catorze or Fola to translate her words.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Caena looks around admiringly at the more restrained environment around the village and admits, “It is kind of pretty here, once you get used to it. So much life. It makes up a little for all the dangers.” She reflects briefly on the disease that affected some of her teammates so harshly, and repeats, “A little.”

She feels mild horror at the mention of tree-tag, and watches the children nervously, just waiting for someone to come crashing down. “Some people were meant for climbing trees, and some were meant to keep their feet on the ground. I’ll stick with Gellion on this one.” She looks around for the porter but sees him frolicking around and sneezing as he goes. Um, maybe not? As long as he’s enjoying himself, I guess. She goes back to striding purposefully forward to get to wherever they’re going quickly.

Caena relaxes her guard a little at Fola’s response. “Giving you a chance... If they are the type of people willing to do that much at least, maybe they will hear us out too. It’s not too late to hope that this can end well for both of our groups.” She looks at her teammates with a hopeful expression.

No problem, take the time you need.

Caena blinks several times, and then reveals a small smile. "I... never thought of it that way. Thank you, that means a lot to me."

Caena blushes slightly when Fola addresses her. "I am, yes. Are you-" She bites her lip but continues. "The others seem to respect you. Do the Ekujae not... treat you differently? The elves I have met have not been pleased to even meet a half-elf, as if the fact that I was alive was unpleasant to them. From what I've heard of the wild elves I didn't think they would be any different." Her voice trails off and she blushes a little deeper, as she realizes this might be offensive. She glances at the elves out of the corner of her eye.

Caena straightens slightly and continues in a stronger tone. "Well, even if they aren't, I'm here to represent the Pathfinder Society and not myself. We had heard that our agents were being abducted and beaten, and I was angry about that. But now I have seen what the Aspis Consortium was doing. It was horrible. I don't know if that was related to this debt of the Sharrowsmith's, but maybe the elves have some good reasons to be angry. I hope they will be willing to share their side of this story with us."

Caena nervously watches the interaction. This new Ekujae is much more intimidating, and was she or was she not staring at Caena's gently pointed ears when they came in? She finds herself tongue-tied; all she can do is self-consciously nod along in agreement with the sentiments of her fellow Pathfinders. They are so good at sounding convincing. Maybe this will be an easy task, in the end. On that optimistic thought she gives a thin smile and agrees, "Yes, please let us meet your elders. We've come a long way to talk with them."

Caena remains quiet through the small ceremony. When it is completed she helps to dig one of the graves (though with all the magical assistance I'm sure it's done before she has a chance to do much!) and then looks somberly at the two elves. To Catorze she says, "Tell them thank you, for sharing this part of their culture with us. It is humbling to see how other people deal with grief in their own way - it's something we all have to face eventually. But let's do what we can to prevent the need for much more of it, at least here, in the days ahead." She nods firmly, ready to meet this Fola and find out what the elves would have them do. At the moment she feels as if she could take on the entire Aspis organization if she needs to.

While listening to Danbit's sorrowful story, Caena's own eyes brim with sympathetic tears. "I have seen... something like that once before. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. We can't just leave him unburied, this precious person." She agrees with Lovissa.

Now that they have shared their experiences on both sides, she doesn't want to suspect the elves any longer. Maybe the stories we heard were wrong, or - well, I don't know, but I want to believe that these two at least are good people. She waits in silence while Lovissa continues to question them.

Sounds good to me!

When someone translates what the elves said, Caena agrees, "By all means, let's go with them. Maybe we'll be able to get to the bottom of this soon." And get out of this sticky hot jungle, she adds privately.

Caena blankly observes the conversation between Cartoze and the elves, and tries not to let on that she doesn't understand what any of them are saying.

In the meantime she inspects the body of the unpleasant man at her feet. She pulls out a couple wands and potions, assuming they will likely be useful to their group. She also glances over at the nearby hunter and smiles at the sight of the longbow. Erastil's own favored weapon. It will be better in our hands than with these slavers.

Caena carries the small haul over to the group holding a conversation, but stays silent herself, since it's clear the elves don't understand Common.

Caena is a little surprised when Catorze dashes forward to attack. Are they really slavers? Maybe we shouldn't jump to conclusions...

However this line of thought is thrown out the window when she hears the man's words. She blusters, "In a... How about you deal with me now!" She stalks forward, drawing her scimitar as she goes. She feels slightly dizzied by trying to focus on the multiple images of him at once, but she glowers at him anyway and points the tip of her blade at where he (probably) is standing. "Maybe you should be the one standing down, unless you don't want to take responsibility for your words?"

Attempt to demoralize Waola

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

I also took my shield off to travel, so my AC is 2 lower

Good to go.